Design Optimization of Subway-Track Sweeper:A Simulation Study

The flow field in a subway-track sweeper was mathematically modeled, theoretically analyzed and numerically simulated with software Fluent for design optimization.The influence of the geometry and alignment of the blowing/suction mouthpieces on the blowing-suction cleaning was investigated in orthogonal test.The simulated results show that the blowing-mouthpiece gap and separation/orientation of blowing/suction mouthpieces all have a major impact.For example, the narrowest blowing-mouthpiece gap of 43.75 mm results in the best blowing;the best subway track cleaning can be realized under the optimized conditions, including a separation of 900 mm between the blowing and suction mouthpieces, the orientation with respect to ground of 30°, a blowing velocity of 30 m/s and a negative pressure of the suction mouth of-400 Pa.In addition, the blowing velocity and the angle between the blowing/suction mouthpieces and the ground were found to significantly affect the subway track cleaning.